There’s a simple reason automakers are pulling out all the stops to come up with pickups able to pull ever-bigger loads and caravans: consumers want them. Of course, everything has its limits. And at the edge of those limits, some camping extremists will want to haul immense houses on wheels with extra-large commercial trucks. But that’s not what we’re looking at here. The trucks on our Top 10 are Class 1 pickups considered to be touring models. Here we go!
1. Ford F-150
Don’t pretend to be surprised to find the super-popular F-150 from Ford at the top of this list. It is the most sought-after model by those looking to pull trailers and caravans for their summer holidays. Available in multiple versions with a number of different engines to choose from, the rear-wheel drive F-150 with the well-regarded 3.5L EcoBoost V6 plus the 10-speed automatic transmission has a pulling capacity of 13,200 lbs – the most in its class. Even the F-150’s new turbo-diesel V6 can’t match that! (It pulls 11,400 lbs). Meanwhile, for the moment, the F-150 is the only pickup to offer the Trailer Back-up Assist system, which automatically directs the vehicle when backing it up with a trailer. If you want more pulling power from an F-Series, you have to look at the Ford Super Dutys (F-250, F-350 and F-450), but those fall into the commercial truck category. As for the smaller, reborn Ranger , it won’t be available for another few months, and we’ll know only then just what kind of towing capacity it brings with it.
Photo: Ford